Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter

TUFTON

Government's announcement of plans to ramp up production on the heels of a global food shortage has been rebuffed by farmers, who predict failure if the problem of praedial larceny is not addressed.

Farmers in the breadbasket parish of St Elizabeth have complained that they are being driven out of production by thieves who strip their fields.

Figures show that livestock farmers in St Elizabeth lost more than $5 million to praedial larceny in the last year alone.

However, Senator Norman Grant, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), pointed out that the combined efforts of the JAS, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority and the Island Special Constabulary Force, saved the sector an estimated $100 million in 2007 with the implementation of the Receipt Book System. This system requires farmers to issue receipts when they sell produce.

A great challenge

But cattle farmers like Aston Levy have not seen the effectiveness of this initiative. He is frustrated, having lost 123 heads of cattle in two years.

"I feel fed-up," sighed Levy.

Agriculture Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, in addressing the 2008/09 Budget Debate less than two weeks ago, acknowledged the gravity of the problem, describing it as one of the greatest challenges affecting the development of the sector.

"The 'two-foot puss' lives on and the receipt book system is failing to stop them," Tufton lamented.

He has appointed a committee, chaired by Anthony Harriott, criminologist and professor of Political Sociology in the Department of Government at the University of the West Indies, to identify a solution to this menace.

Traceability key in curbing theft

Tufton said the receipt book system had failed to identify end-users and therefore could not effectively trace the origin of produce.

Tony Browne, a farmer of YS, St Elizabeth, agreed that traceability was key in curbing praedial larceny.

"Providing details of where the produce is from to how it gets to the supermarket or the market should be a must," said Browne, who has been a victim of praedial larceny having lost seven heads of cattle in 18 months.

Browne said he often issued advisories to supermarkets to ensure the origin of the meat they buy.

"My buyers always have a receipt from this farm," Browne noted.

Paul Thomas, a yam farmer in Manchester said the thieves were even armed with stamp and receipt books.

"I just pray because when them want thief nothing can't stop them," said Thomas.

Tufton has also outlined plans for the implementation of a National Animal Identification System, projected to cost $23.6 million.